Sage Herb Health Benefits

Sage contains a number of biologically active compounds.

You may be most familiar with the herb sage as a pleasant flavoring in turkey stuffing at Thanksgiving. However, this common culinary herb also contains natural phytochemicals with medicinal properties. The sage plant is a member of the genus Salvia, a word that comes from the Latin verb that means "to cure". A part of traditional herbal medicine for centuries, sage may have significant health benefits that can help you avoid illness.

Traditional Uses

The sage plant can be pressed to produce an essential oil that is rich in aromatic compounds. Because of its distinctive, pleasant odor, sage oil is used traditionally in aromatherapy, to lessen feelings of depression and stress. Sage leaves and tinctures made from the plant are also traditional remedies for inflammation of the mouth and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, to calm intestinal spasms and to treat gastritis and diarrhea. In addition, sage is sometimes applied topically to treat eczema, acne and minor skin injuries. Sage may also have antimicrobial properties and could be useful when applied topically to fight bacterial and viral infections.

Neurological Benefits

Sage may have positive effects on memory and cognition, according to findings from modern research. In a clinical study published in "Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior," healthy young subjects consumed sage extract or placebo, and were evaluated by memory testing before and after the treatment. Those who consumed sage showed a significant improvement over their earlier testing, while the placebo group's performance remained unchanged. Sage may also benefit those with certain neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. In a clinical trial published in "Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics," patients with mild to moderate symptoms of the disease who consumed sage extract for four months had improved cognitive function and displayed less agitation than those in the placebo group. Although these findings with sage and Alzheimer's disease are promising, they need confirmation in larger, long-term trials.

Diabetes Prevention

Sage may have other potential health benefits, including protecting against diabetes. Studies on laboratory animals published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" found that sage extract might be hypoglycemic, lowering the animals' blood glucose by blocking release of stored glucose from the liver, a function the liver performs in response to a hormone called glucagon. The authors compared these effects to those of a common diabetes drug, metformin, and suggested that sage might be a useful preventive against Type 2 diabetes. However, studies on human subjects are needed to confirm its potential for this use.

How To Use

Dried sage leaf and sage extracts are available from health food stores in capsules. Although considered a safe herb in general, some people may experience side effects that include dryness or irritation of the mouth. In addition, sage contains a compound called thujone, which can cause increased heart rate and confusion if the herb is consumed for long periods of time. The University of Michigan Health System recommends you minimize this likelihood by consuming sage for no more than one or two weeks. Do not take sage if you are pregnant or if you have a fever. Discuss its use in detail with your doctor to decide if taking sage is advisable for you.

About the Author

Joanne Marie began writing professionally in 1981. Her work has appeared in health, medical and scientific publications such as Endocrinology and Journal of Cell Biology. She has also published in hobbyist offerings such as The Hobstarand The Bagpiper. Marie is a certified master gardener and has a Ph.D. in anatomy from Temple University School of Medicine.